I have another question. Which type of Zinc is the most effective at treating acne? I say which type because of course there are several different kinds, such as Zinc Gluconate, which seems to be everywhere in the drug stores, but I've heard that Zinc Monomethionine may be more effective? Also there is another called Zinc Picolinate. I would just like to know which of these the most effective?

They are all the same, it has the same affect no matter which you choose. But, make sure you ask your doctor if you are deficient in zinc, most acne sufferers are and it COULD be your cure but, if you are not deficient in zinc then you don't want to waste your time.

They are all the same, it has the same affect no matter which you choose. But, make sure you ask your doctor if you are deficient in zinc, most acne sufferers are and it COULD be your cure but, if you are not deficient in zinc then you don't want to waste your time.

Why would you say they are all the same? Supplements can absorb well with one kind and not absorb well with another kind. And I wouldn't say that it is either a cure or a waste of time.

Biocyan: The only one I've tried is zinc gluconate. It works well for me, and it seems to be the most common kind. If you take zinc it will probably decrease inflammation and make your skin heal faster. It will not completely cure your acne.

They are not all the same. Absorption of zinc (which then translates into effectiveness) depends on the type.

Zinc Picolinate is called body preferred because it is supposed to (and i believe it does because i used it for a long time) absorb the best.

I switched to L-optiZinc (30mgs of zinc Monomethionine, 300mcg of copper) because i was becoming copper deficient from taking 100mgs of zinc at night. I reduced to 50mgs but that was a temp fix. A common sign for me was heart arrhythmia and palpitations.

The type i use now is supposed to not react with copper absorption as much and i also take b6 which is helps aid in zinc absorption. I can honestly say that 30mgs of this stuff feels the same as me taking 100mgs daily.

Take zinc at night with atleast a 1/2 glass of water or more to reduce stomach irritation. Try to take it 2hrs or so after eating (which is why i take it at night). Zinc can cause decrease in blood pressure in high doses (like it did for me) so i see taking it at night a plus for aiding in sleep as well.

Amen to the L-OptiZinc. I take only 30mg a day, also at night. I feel the form of the supplement is very important, because the better it absorbs, the less you have to take, the less non-absorbed excess that your body has to get rid of, and the less stress it puts on your body. Just opinion though.

If acne basically starts from puberty onward, let's think about what happens from childhood to puberty.

--During puberty, insulin sensitivity is decreased, on average, 30 some percent.--Insulin levels are then increased during puberty.--After puberty, there is a recovery of insulin sensitivity. (unless diet has the system messed up)--IGFBP-1(IGF binding protein) levels decrease as insulin levels increase.--As IGFBP-1 decreases, IGF-1 increases.--This allows for more free circulating IGF-1.--SHBG(Sex hormone binding globulin) also decreases as insulin increases, and production of sex hormones is increased.--SHBG regulates the ability of sex hormones to affect tissues.--IGF-1 is controlled by your body, hence the reason your insulin sensitivity decreases during puberty to allow for extra growth, and then increases again after puberty, meaning any extra insulin above normal, or any IGF-1 raising foods will cause havoc. --Reducing insulin spikes, strengthening insulin sensitivity, and avoiding IGF-1 raising foods will help control all of this.